Measles outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico are actually as much as practically 320 circumstances, and two unvaccinated folks have died from measles-related causes.
Measles is brought on by a extremely contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads simply when an contaminated particular person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It’s preventable by way of vaccines, and has been thought-about eradicated from the U.S. since 2000.
As of Friday, the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention mentioned its rely of confirmed measles circumstances within the U.S. surpassed 2024. Right here’s what else you have to learn about measles within the U.S.
What number of measles circumstances are there in Texas and New Mexico?
Texas state well being officers mentioned Tuesday there have been 20 new circumstances of measles since final week, bringing the whole to 279 throughout 11 counties — most in West Texas. Two extra folks have been hospitalized, for a complete of 36.
New Mexico well being officers introduced three new circumstances Tuesday, bringing the state’s whole to 38. Many of the circumstances are in Lea County, the place two folks have been hospitalized, and the opposite circumstances are in Eddy County.
Oklahoma’s state well being division reported two possible circumstances of measles final week, saying they’re “associated” with the West Texas and New Mexico outbreaks.
A school-age little one died of measles in Texas final month, and New Mexico reported its first measles-related loss of life in an grownup final week.
The place else is measles exhibiting up within the U.S.?
Measles circumstances have been reported in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.
The U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention defines an outbreak as three or extra associated circumstances — and there have been three clusters that certified as outbreaks in 2025.
Within the U.S., circumstances and outbreaks are typically traced to somebody who caught the illness overseas. It could then unfold, particularly in communities with low vaccination charges. In 2019, the U.S. noticed 1,274 circumstances and virtually misplaced its standing of getting eradicated measles.
Jan Sonnenmair by way of Getty Photographs
Do you want an MMR booster?
The easiest way to keep away from measles is to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The primary shot is beneficial for kids between 12 and 15 months outdated and the second between 4 and 6 years outdated.
Folks at excessive danger for an infection who bought the photographs a few years in the past might need to think about getting a booster in the event that they stay in an space with an outbreak, mentioned Scott Weaver with the International Virus Community, a world coalition. These might embody relations residing with somebody who has measles or these particularly weak to respiratory ailments due to underlying medical situations.
Adults with “presumptive evidence of immunity” typically don’t want measles photographs now, the CDC mentioned. Standards embody written documentation of satisfactory vaccination earlier in life, lab affirmation of previous an infection or being born earlier than 1957, when most individuals have been more likely to be contaminated naturally.
A physician can order a lab check referred to as an MMR titer to verify your ranges of measles antibodies, however well being specialists don’t all the time advocate this route and insurance coverage protection can range.
Getting one other MMR shot is innocent if there are issues about waning immunity, the CDC says.
Individuals who have documentation of receiving a stay measles vaccine within the Sixties don’t have to be revaccinated, however individuals who have been immunized earlier than 1968 with an ineffective measles vaccine constructed from “killed” virus must be revaccinated with no less than one dose, the company mentioned. That additionally contains individuals who don’t know which kind they bought.
What are the signs of measles?
Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads all through the physique, inflicting a excessive fever, runny nostril, cough, crimson, watery eyes and a rash.
The rash typically seems three to 5 days after the primary signs, starting as flat crimson spots on the face after which spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and toes. When the rash seems, the fever might spike over 104 levels Fahrenheit, in accordance with the CDC.
Most youngsters will get better from measles, however an infection can result in harmful problems resembling pneumonia, blindness, mind swelling and loss of life.
How will you deal with measles?
There’s no particular therapy for measles, so medical doctors typically attempt to alleviate signs, forestall problems and preserve sufferers comfy.
Why do vaccination charges matter?
In communities with excessive vaccination charges — above 95% — ailments like measles have a more durable time spreading by way of communities. That is referred to as “herd immunity.”
However childhood vaccination charges have declined nationwide for the reason that pandemic and extra dad and mom are claiming non secular or private conscience waivers to exempt their children from required photographs.
The U.S. noticed an increase in measles circumstances in 2024, together with an outbreak in Chicago that sickened greater than 60.
AP Science Author Laura Ungar contributed to this report.
The Related Press Health and Science Division receives assist from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Academic Media Group and the Robert Wooden Johnson Basis. The AP is solely accountable for all content material.
